The 2024 Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup Relay saw CDCR place fourth in its division and rank 44 out of 258 participating teams.
From March 23-24, teams raced across 120 miles of desert from Baker, Calif., to Las Vegas, Nev.
The race hosts hundreds of teams from all over the world with members from law enforcement. Teams travel from all over the world to compete against each other in a test of physical endurance and teamwork.
The CDCR team ran in honor of previous Team Captain, retired Sgt. Mike McDowel, who passed away after being diagnosed with cancer.
CDCR team:
- Leg 1: Giovanni Perezchica, Wasco State Prison, Correctional Officer (CO)
- Leg 2: Richard Aybar, California Institution for Women (CIW), CO retired
- Leg 3: Raul Castellanos, California State Prison-Los Angeles County (LAC), CO
- Leg 4: Adalberto Diaz, CIW, CO
- Leg 5: Timothy Abarca, California Rehabilitation Center, sergeant
- Leg 6: Crystal Morales, LAC, CO
- Leg 7: Daniel Lee, LAC, lieutenant
- Leg 8: David Landeros, LAC, CO
- Leg 9: Joshua Walker, LAC, CO
- Leg 10: Justin Lugar, Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO), parole agent
- Leg 11: Isaac Alvarez, CIW, CO
- Leg 12: Armando Lopez, DAPO, parole agent
- Leg 13: Lei Shi, CIW, CO
- Leg 14: Gregg Chamberlain, California Men’s Colony
- Leg 15: Babek Izadseta, California Institution for Men (CIM), CO
- Leg 16: Tina Pease, CIW, CO
- Leg 17: Bradley Garcia, CIM, CO
- Leg 18: Nestor Perez, CIW, CO
- Leg 19: Orlando Saldana, CIW, CO
- Leg 20: Jeff Soares, Correctional Training Facility, associate warden, retired
Alternate runners
- Eric Lauren, Office of Correctional Safety, special agent, retired
- S. Tello, CIW, CO
- A. Cervantes, CIW, CO
- Q. Lan CIW, CO
- B. Gonzalez, LAC, CO
The team is always searching for new runners and support personnel. If interested in volunteering for the 2025 event, contact Correctional Officer Orlando Saldana or Parole Agent Armando Lopez (emails found in Global).
See more stories highlighting CDCR/CCHCS staff.
Follow CDCR on YouTube, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter).
Related content
Pelican Bay hosts annual Employee Appreciation Day
The annual Employee Appreciation Day at Pelican Bay State Prison (PBSP) in Crescent City brought staff together for camaraderie, competition…
CHCF thanks staff through third annual automotive show
The California Health Care Facility (CHCF) in Stockton recently hosted its third annual automotive show. This event provides staff with…
Meet Makenna Schroeder, OPOS northern testing manager
Makenna Schroeder, a supervisor serving as the northern testing manager for the Office of Peace Officer Selection (OPOS), strengthens CDCR’s…
CCWF leaders host Women in Law Enforcement Symposium
Leaders from Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla hosted the second Women in Law Enforcement Symposium. Wendy Enos, chief…
RJD staff roll up sleeves to donate blood
RJ Donovan (RJD) Correctional Facility staff members rolled up their sleeves to support the community by donating life-saving blood to…
California Men’s Colony hosts staff Family Day
California Men’s Colony (CMC) in San Luis Obispo hosted staff Family Day, offering families a closer look at the institution.…